Jul 24, 2008

Much Ado About Nothing | Beatrice and Benedick

In an essay originally published in the Saturday Review in 1898, Bernard Shaw claims that Beatrice and Benedick are essentially vulgar and indiscriminate individuals whose inadequacies are concealed by Shakespeare's linguistic skill. Next, Denzell S. Smith argues that Beatrice's command, "Kill Claudio," represents the climax of the character development of both Beatrice and Benedick.

Most critics concur that Shakespeare's depiction of the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick far surpasses that of Hero and Claudio in depth and interest. Scholars have often emphasized the fact that Shakespeare deliberately introduces the theme of the sparring mockers Beatrice and Benedick before the theme of the pallid romantics Hero and Claudio; and further, that when all of the principal characters are on stage together, the audience is drawn not to the tame love-at-first-sight relationship that develops between Hero and Claudio, but rather to the "merry war" between Beatrice and...